Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation M2
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop aircraft typically positioned as a versatile utility and short‑to‑medium range business aircraft, while the Cessna Citation M2 is a light twin‑jet aimed more squarely at fast business travel. In category terms, the King Air 260 generally prioritizes runway flexibility and lower-speed, high‑access operations (often including smaller airports and shorter runways), whereas the Citation M2 emphasizes higher cruise speeds and a more “jet-like” point‑to‑point profile. For range, both serve similar mission bands, but they achieve it differently: the King Air 260’s typical maximum range is around 1,700 nautical miles, while the Citation M2 is usually around 1,550 nautical miles, depending on payload, conditions, and reserves. Passenger capacity also differs by typical configuration. The King Air 260 is commonly arranged for about 7 to 9 passengers, with some layouts accommodating more depending on interior and mission. The Citation M2 is most often configured for about 5 to 7 passengers in a standard executive cabin.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Citation M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 3.45 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | M2 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1400 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.58 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3810 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,395 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 404 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $5,150,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 8.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 22027 |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | FJ44-1AP-21 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 7 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 492 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 1965 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 516 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 42.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 47.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 11 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 8.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46 |